I guess you, and other committed, experienced cycle commuters, are collateral damage (sorry for the term) in this sense. By that i don’t mean they want you to be run over, but you’ll be an overall loser with the changes but they’re hoping to gain x number of newer commuters onto the road as a result. I don’t suppose that’ll ever go away.
I got shouted at for riding on a road the other day, and not on the shared path/pavement with about 60 million junctions, dropped curbs, driveways backing directly onto it. I think some (a lot) of people forget that it’s pretty easy to motor on the flats at over 30kph. Not a speed i would fancy hitting a pedestrian/dog/pushchair etc at!
Yeah, I fully understand where they are coming from and accept that my journey might take a bit longer when the masses return to work. I think the danger comes from the people who aren’t prepared to pootle along at the back of a queue of slow cyclists and will try to overtake within the lane. That’s where the potential hazards of the off-line curbs and bollards kick in and could cause a pile-up.
I could potentially ride all but about 100m of the way from my house to my office on cycle superhighways if I wanted to. At the start of lockdown I did the homeward journey along the Embankment cycle path and then took the path over Vauxhall Bridge and past the Oval. It was lovely while there was no one else using it, but I stopped when the Boris bike tourists took over the Embankment and it just became too dangerous.
I have to say, some of the bends on these segregated cycle lanes must have been designed by people who don’t regularly ride bikes. It’s difficult enough keeping within the lane markings on some of the tighter turns when you are a reasonably competent cyclist. Less competent riders are all over the place.
Yeah totally agree. I wasn’t defending the position, just making an observation. Don’t worry, the calls for bikes to be insured, MOTd and paying ‘road tax’ will soon start to increase in volume!
I had a woman shout something about not paying “road tax” at me the other day.
She was crossing on a “red man”, I was on a green light and I’m going out on a limb here, but I reckon she doesn’t pay much tax of any sort herself, except maybe sugar tax
I’m going to add “shoddy workmanship” to my gripes about the new cycling infrastructure that is appearing on my commute.
The curb stones that they’ve used to create the segregated lanes are obviously just cemented straight on to the existing tarmac (to make them easier to remove at a later date? ) and someone must have driven into one section and dislodged a few pieces. So, you’re riding along a piece of segregated lane and suddenly find several concrete curb stones across your path with not much space to avoid them
Cleaned the fixie yesterday, i never do that! Took ages probably 5 years of gunk on the cog and chain. Chain was stuck solid! Swapped the marathon plus (bald from skidding) for some 4 seasons i had lying around also. Today 10mins faster each way into London. 43min in 56min home! Think of that lost training effort though
Last year I restored an old Coventry eagle, to use as a commute bike. I finally had enough of having zero brakes in the wet, owing to the highly polished chrome rims. It was just way too sketchy for riding in traffic, when I needed to plan braking in advance.
So over the last week I’ve whacked on some 700c wheels with the rear a flip-flop hub (wheelset bought off eBay for £65) and put on a single crank. Going to give riding fixed a go for a few weeks. I’ve got quite low gearing on it (38x17) as I do have a bit of a hill to negotiate in the way home. 120rpm on the downhill should be fun.
I ride 42x17 and 100rpm is still 20mph so OK all round gear but still a grind uphill at times. It was @Joxster who told me to ride 42x18 as its what he winter trained on with BC back in the late 80s/90s.
yep used the good weather and work pool reopening as an excuse to go in and reboot a few servers. nice fixed ride in the sun, good wind. Loads of traffic though, worse than a usual pre covid day. Think the homeward leg will not be as much fun though.
lots less Boris bikes on the roads now the sunshines gone, can finally ride along the embankment without having to weave in and out of people in flip flops riding side by side.
I’ve not re-read the entire thread, but I don’t recall seeing much chatter on the subject of gloves.
I’m pretty hardy to the cold, and am comfortable enough with my current kit to be able to layer up effectively enough. That leaves two elements that could either ruin a winter ride or at least stop me from even leaving the house… Hands and feet.
Feet - pretty easy. From what I’ve read, some PX overshoes will probably do the job. Though one of my best mates has said he’d disown me if I try to ride with him wearing them! He’s predominantly mtb though, so I’ll clearly ignore him!
Hands - the one thing that could not only ruin a ride but literally put me in a hedge.
So. What are people wearing?
Layering systems? Lobster gloves? Waterproof? Liners? Thick vs thin? Any bargains you’ve stumbled across? Anything to avoid? Etc etc etc
I got a pair of DHB winter gloves a couple of years ago. They may have been called Extreme Weather.
Anyway, I’ve always got major issues with hands and feet. I’ve never had cold hands since I started wearing them riding in the cold. Best gloves I’ve had for the bike.
What are the PX overshoes? Still not found a solution to my toes going numb and white in the cold.
Although I don’t have them the Galibier Barrier gloves are well reviewed & reasonably priced.
I’ve got lots of Galibier kit & especially love their leather gloves for my winter rides. They do need a bit of attention after rides, but make you look like a Bond villain…or Alan Partridge
) and someone must have driven into one section and dislodged a few pieces. So, you’re riding along a piece of segregated lane and suddenly find several concrete curb stones across your path with not much space to avoid them 
.
